Garretson W. Gibson
Encyclopedia
Garretson Wilmot Gibson was the 14th President of Liberia from 11 December 1900, to 4 January 1904. Born in Maryland
, in the United States
, his family emigrated to Liberia
in 1835. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology. Ordained a priest
, he served as rector of the Episcopalian
Trinity Church in Monrovia
. He also served as Chaplain of the Liberian Senate. Later, he served as President of the Trustee Board of Liberia College
and at one time President of the College.
President Gibson began his political life as a Justice of the Peace. With the election of William D. Coleman as president in 1896, Gibson was appointed Secretary of the Interior. He was Secretary of State when Coleman resigned in 1900, and since there was no vice-president, Gibson was chosen to succeed him. He won the election that same year, and served until 1904, when his Secretary of the Treasury, Arthur Barclay
, succeeded him.
President Gibson died in Monrovia
on April 26, 1910. He was the last Liberian president to have been born in the United States.
In 1903, the British forced a concession of Liberian territory to Sierra Leone, but tension along that border remained high.
Whenever the British and French seemed intent on enlarging at Liberia's expense the neighboring territories they already controlled, periodic appearances by U.S. warships helped discourage encroachment, even though successive American administrations rejected appeals from Monrovia for more forceful support.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, his family emigrated to Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
in 1835. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology. Ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, he served as rector of the Episcopalian
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
Trinity Church in Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
. He also served as Chaplain of the Liberian Senate. Later, he served as President of the Trustee Board of Liberia College
University of Liberia
The University of Liberia is a publicly funded institution of higher learning located in Monrovia, Liberia. Authorized by the national government in 1851, the school opened in 1863 as Liberia College and became a university in 1951. The school is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning...
and at one time President of the College.
President Gibson began his political life as a Justice of the Peace. With the election of William D. Coleman as president in 1896, Gibson was appointed Secretary of the Interior. He was Secretary of State when Coleman resigned in 1900, and since there was no vice-president, Gibson was chosen to succeed him. He won the election that same year, and served until 1904, when his Secretary of the Treasury, Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay was the 15th President of Liberia, serving from 1904 to 1912.-Early life and education:Barclay was born at Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 31, 1854, the tenth of twelve children of Anthony and Sarah Barclay...
, succeeded him.
President Gibson died in Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
on April 26, 1910. He was the last Liberian president to have been born in the United States.
Presidency (1900-1904)
Prior to attaining the presidency, Gibson had had a long career in government including serving as Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of State.In 1903, the British forced a concession of Liberian territory to Sierra Leone, but tension along that border remained high.
Whenever the British and French seemed intent on enlarging at Liberia's expense the neighboring territories they already controlled, periodic appearances by U.S. warships helped discourage encroachment, even though successive American administrations rejected appeals from Monrovia for more forceful support.
Sources and links
- Nathaniel R. Richardson, Liberia's Past and Present. London: The Diplomatic Press and Publishing Company, 1959.
- see also History of Liberia, external links